The Basil Memphis panniers, unlike some of the more expensive Basil brand bags like the ultra-stylish KAVAN bags, are made of "leatherette" i.e. plasticky stuff, and they are lined on the insides with a thin layer of a felt-like material.

There is just a brief wait in the VIP lounge, with its white leatherette sofas and The Naked Gun playing on a flat-screen television, before you are whisked into your limousine, the usual hassles of passport control handled by friendly officials.

And it has to be said that my test car, a 2.5 SEL, was a pretty stout deal for $30,665, including a six-speed Tiptronic automatic, Bluetooth, navi, a big sunroof, heated leatherette seats and an ear-crunching Fender co-branded audio system.